Paris Jackson RSVPs to Cup Day

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and exclusive Fashion Partner Myer are thrilled to welcome American actress and model Paris Jackson into Melbourne as a special guest on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 7 November.

Paris Jackson, 19, daughter of music legend Michael Jackson, will visit the Myer Marquee and the 1 Oliver Street Marquee in the famous Flemington Birdcage.

She will also enjoy all the colour and excitement of Myer Fashions on the Field in The Park – the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s entertainment precinct – ahead of watching the 157th running of ‘the race that stops a nation’TM with VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott.

Paris, who currently resides in Los Angeles, began to pursue her professional ambitions earlier this year, and her career is already off to an impressive start, landing her first Vogue Australia cover earlier this year. The IMG-signed model has also graced the covers of Rolling Stone, Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue, CR Fashion Book and i-D, collaborating with top photographers including Patrick Demarchelier, Willy Vanderperre, David LaChapelle, Mario Sorrenti, Jean-Paul Goude, Jean-Baptiste Mondino and Hedi Slimane.

Through Paris’ work with esteemed fashion editor Carine Roitfeld (Founder of CR Fashion Book) she was introduced to award-winning director and producer Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler), who, at the time, was working on the final episodes for the first season of his musical-drama series Star (Fox). Daniels became so enamoured by Paris’ unique beauty, charm and talent that he wrote a guest appearance into the series for her. She will reprise her role for a short arc in Season 2. Paris’ next acting project will see her work with Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Joel Edgerton and David Oyelowo in the feature film Gringo (Amazon Studios & STX), premiering 9 March, 2018.

Paris is also a passionate humanitarian and activist, choosing to use her fame to highlight causes, including HIV/AIDS and global warming. She was recently appointed an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) and is passionate about continuing her godmother’s legacy of ridding the stigma and finding a cure for the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

On her first trip to Melbourne, Paris is looking forward to joining all Australians on the nation’s most celebrated day.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to visit Australia. It’s one of the most beautiful places that I’ve seen pictures of, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic to tune in and connect to one of the most high frequency and gorgeous regions on the planet,” she said.

“I wasn’t familiar with the Melbourne Cup Carnival before the opportunity came up to attend this year, but once it was brought to my attention, I asked my Aussie friends about it and heard so many incredible things! They say it’s ‘the race that stops a nation’, and I’m eager to experience this tradition for myself!

“I’m working with an Australian designer to come up with an outfit that will fit with the traditional fashions of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, while still incorporating my own personal style.”

“Paris has an iconic, bold and eclectic sense of style. She is a breath of fresh air in the fashion world and we can’t wait to welcome her into the Myer Marquee on Melbourne Cup Day,” Mr Scott said.

VRC Executive General Manager Customer Engagement Caroline Ralphsmith said the Club is excited to welcome Paris to Flemington for Emirates Melbourne Cup Day to experience a truly world-class yet uniquely Australian event.

“Melbourne’s Cup week is a time when Melbourne truly comes alive and we look forward to welcoming Paris and all lovers of fashion and fun to the track during the four-day celebrations,” Ms Ralphsmith said.

Regarded as the world’s most vibrant racing event, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is a uniquely Australian celebration of sport, fashion, food and wine and culture, attracting more than 315,000 racegoers to Flemington Racecourse over four magical racedays each year.

The VRC will lift the curtain on the Melbourne Cup Carnival on AAMI Victoria Derby Day on 4 November, followed by Emirates Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 7 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 9 November and Emirates Stakes Day on Saturday 11 November.

Tickets and hospitality packages can be purchased from www.flemington.com.au